There has been a rise in truancy levels at Lambeth schools, despite a continuing campaign to clamp down on the problem.

Figures for the Autumn term 2007 show the number of persistent truants - pupils who missed missed nearly half of the term - increased marginally from Autumn 2006.

Some 173 pupils missed more than more than 31 complete days, the equivalent of 20 per cent of the school year, while 1,432 or 6.1 per cent of pupils missed the equivalent of three-and-a half school weeks.

Statistics were higher than the previous year and just below the London average.

A council spokeswoman said it had incorporated a range of strategies and initiatives aimed at tackling poor attendance, including increasing the number of truancy sweeps performed by police.

Cllr Paul McGlone, Lambeth's cabinet member for children and young people, said: "Local schools have worked hard to promote good attendance because they know better than anyone the link between turning up and good grades."

He said the council would be taking a strong line in tackling poor attendance in particular against parents or carers of children who are persistently absent from school.

This could mean prosecution and even fines for parents of persistent truants.